Alice

Ma-tai-an: A village known by the Chinese transliteration of its Amis name "vataan", meaning "樹豆" in Chinese or "pigeon pea" (Cajanus cajan) in English. Ma-tai-an/Vataan is famous for its indigenous eco-friendly wetland cultivation and management system. I visited as part of an effort to involve local indigenous communities in the Lixiang Dadi permaculture project. Although that effort did not pan out, I was impressed with their sustainable aquaculture techniques and how well integrated with the natural environment their lives were, and have encouraged people to visit them to see a great example of a sustainable indigenous community. Planting betel nut palms in the village and using them not only to harvest their betel nuts and other products but also as poles for itinerant structural requirements was brilliant. A great example of the villagers' natural design approach that is multifunctional and produces many yields.